Actress Ko Hyun-jung has returned to SBS as a serial killer after overcoming health issues, marking her return after seven years.
On the afternoon of the 4th, a production presentation for the SBS weekend drama 'The Mantis: Original Sin' took place. Director Byun Young-joo and actors Ko Hyun-jung, Jang Dong-yoon, Jo Sung-ha, and Lee El attended the event.
'The Mantis: Original Sin' depicts a scenario where, 20 years after the cruel serial killer known as 'The Mantis' was caught, copycat crimes occur. A detective has to collaborate with his mother, who he has despised all his life because she is 'The Mantis,' creating a high-density crime thriller.
Director Byun Young-joo explained, "'The Mantis' is about a case where five individuals were discovered as victims of a serial killer in a disused mine town during the preparation for the 2002 World Cup 23 years ago. Fortunately, the criminal was caught, but people didn't even know the killer's name and only knew the nickname 'The Mantis.' As this Mantis resurfaces with copycat crimes 23 years later, a detective's son is required to assist with the investigation because he must be in the investigation team. This leads him to collaborate with his despised mother, creating a story where the son suffers because of his mother. In short, it's a story of a son who suffers because of his mother. It's also a tale of people working hard to prevent more victims from emerging. I wish viewers to interpret this as a narrative about those striving for a future without more victims, rather than just focusing on the perpetrator."
In the drama, Ko Hyun-jung portrays the serial killer Jung Yi-shin, who has the nickname 'The Mantis.' He noted, "While it's important to showcase how cruel Jung Yi-shin is in killing people, it's also vital to explore why he became a murderer. Observing that aspect might be part of the intrigue as well."
On the other hand, Ko Hyun-jung had to pause filming for surgery due to health issues during the shooting of 'The Mantis.' He acknowledged, "It's true that my health wasn't great, so I couldn't film for a while, but I returned to the set. I received tremendous support from the crew and the cast, who are all incredibly talented individuals. This made me develop a stronger affinity for the project 'The Mantis.' This isn't just my work; it's a piece created by all of us, and the drama isn't influenced solely by one person. All of the staff and actors work together as one, which made me feel very much appreciated. I hope this work can be showcased to many people and that a lot of them will watch it."
In particular, it has been seven years since Ko Hyun-jung returned to SBS after the 2018 discord with the production team of 'Return' and issues surrounding her exit. When asked about this, Ko Hyun-jung said, "That was indeed a situation," but emphasized, "The SBS Mokdong location holds memories not just from that project but from many previous works as well. It's my first time back in a long while, and perhaps because of my age, those memories came flooding back. As I entered this location, I found myself thinking, 'This is a very intense place.' I greet everyone with the SBS project after a long absence. I'm glad and happy that it's 'The Mantis.'"
Recently, Ko Hyun-jung showcased a transformation in acting through the Netflix series 'Mask Girl.' In addition to that, he hinted at a powerful performance as a serial killer in 'The Mantis,' stating, "The script required a lot of preparation. It's a role I haven't done before. When I was doing 'Mask Girl,' I was thrilled to find someone suggesting I take on such a character, so I could do it. Personally, it opened doors for me. When I received the script for 'The Mantis,' I immediately wanted to take on the role because I knew Director Byun Young-joo was involved. There was no hesitation. Genre work is certainly a domain that any actor can aspire to, and I wanted to experience the direction of Director Byun, which influenced my decision to join."
He added, "It's hard to imagine a mother and a serial killer coexisting. While outsiders might see it that way, looking at the life of that person, she is a mother and a daughter; she must have had her own life as well. I often thought, rather than thinking solely of her as 'my mother' or 'whoever,' I am Jung Yi-shin, right? That thought crossed my mind frequently. I considered how extreme the performance should be in certain scenes and what might not be excessive; I trusted that judgment would come from the director. I speculated that Jung Yi-shin would have led her life this way. If she has lived her life prior to meeting her son after 20-some years, her feelings about meeting her son would surely have intensified. While acting, I left most of the decisions on 'how to coexist' to the director, and I focused more on how I could present more versions with each take."
Jang Dong-yoon plays Cha Soo-yeol, a detective who collaborates with his mother, 'The Mantis,' whom he has hated all his life. He described the character as "a detective who suffers because of his overly caring mother," explaining, "He experiences various pains and emotional changes while collaborating with such a mother on the investigation."
Before debuting, Jang Dong-yoon gained fame for appearing on the news after catching a robber. When asked about his feelings on portraying a detective for the first time, he replied, "I have always had a detective-like disposition. In a negative sense, I've been meddlesome, wanting to mediate if there are incidents around me and unable to let things go, which makes people say I should play a detective. Although I've never had the chance to portray a detective before, I was happy to do so this time. Ultimately, I feel that after portraying a detective once, I may have the opportunity to take on similar roles, so I acted with joy. 'The Mantis' indeed has heavy aspects, so it poses a challenge as well."
Jo Sung-ha, who plays the role of Choi Joong-ho, the head of the violent crime investigation unit at the Jeonnam Police Agency, introduced his character by stating, "As a copycat crime occurs, I need to maintain my composure while collaborating with Yi-shin and Soo-yeol amidst tension and anxiety."
Continuing on, Lee El, who plays Kim Nah-hee, the top detective in the Jeonnam Police Agency working alongside Choi Joong-ho and Cha Soo-yeol to investigate copycat crimes, revealed, "Nah-hee is a chief detective for whom work is more important than family and children; she is keen to capture the copycat from 'The Mantis.'"
When asked about the casting choices, Director Byun Young-joo expressed, "As soon as I read the script, I immediately thought of Ko Hyun-jung. I have been a fan of her from long ago and have loved her in 'Mother's Sea' and 'Farewell.' Those memories came together, and I felt that if it was Ko Hyun-jung, it would bring out a face I had never imagined before. So, that was the first proposal I made when I received the script from the production team and I suggested it to Ko Hyun-jung. I believe that was one of the best choices I made last year, 'The Best Choice.'"
Furthermore, he remarked, "As I loved Jang Dong-yoon's role in 'Flowers Blooming in the Sand,' I felt that if he could tackle a character that is bright yet deeply hurt, something truly heartbreaking could be created. I had previously worked with Jo Sung-ha in 'Hwachae'. Originally, the role I had for him was a former detective who was dismissed due to corruption. Years have passed, so I envisioned him as a good and kind civil servant, someone you'd wish existed in the neighborhood, and I thought Jo Sung-ha would excel at that role, so I contacted him. As for Lee El, I have wanted to work with her for a long time, being one of her fans. Since I'm getting older and uncertain about how things will unfold, I thought reaching out to her would be the best way to make my request. I gave her the script, which led to an expansion of Kim Nah-hee's role. I celebrated this with the writer with a cheer!"
Before the press conference, Director Byun Young-joo shared, "I feel so happy and enjoyed the process. I hope that our sense of happiness translates into enjoyment for our viewers. I want this work to receive much love and eventually become the most beloved director at SBS," revealing his ambition. He added, "For me, it has been a work where I got to work with the actors I have always wanted to collaborate with," but also emphasized, "My true wish is the viewership ratings" expressing desire for successful ratings.
Regarding the differences with the upcoming Netflix film of the same name starring Lim Si-wan, which is set to premiere on the 26th, he joked, "In the movie, the killer is someone who is paid to kill people, whereas our 'Mantis' commits murder simply for his own enjoyment." He explained, "The Mantis in our drama is a serial killer who follows the same methods of the perpetrator who abused a child or committed violence against women 23 years ago. Following 23 years, when copycat crimes occur, he offers his help in solving them, although the reasons are unclear. The film 'The Mantis' depicts a killer, a very handsome and cool killer fighting against others in an action thriller, but ours is a mystery thriller. Make sure to prioritize watching ours, if you find the time… then watch the movie!" eliciting laughter.
Given that the protagonist is a criminal, Director Byun Young-joo addressed concerns about glorification, stating, "I believe that if the director shows obvious support and sympathy for the criminal protagonist, viewers will find it distasteful. Although it is an old work, when I worked on 'Hwachae,' I thought the audience would get disgusted if they encountered a moment where the protagonist was pitied or supported by the director. We are not here to support her, but rather to create a setting where viewers can make their own judgments by simply showing her. In this drama, it is the character of Cha Soo-yeol, the son, who deserves audience support. Interestingly, Jung Yi-shin is a character defined by past brutality connecting to the present."
When asked about target viewership ratings, he replied, "It seems that there is no ambition regarding ratings or the success of the work. Is there any project in this world that doesn't want to succeed? It surprised me when I thought dramas wouldn't air during the upcoming Chuseok holiday. That was a failed strategy. I expected more holiday specials, but I didn't know enough about broadcasting stations. I may not know either, but the enthusiasm behind making it was based on the belief that viewers would enjoy it. I plan to watch the first broadcast together with the actors. Right before the first broadcast, I will make a promise regarding what to do at certain viewership percentages."
Lastly, Lee El confidently stated, "If you watch the broadcast tomorrow, you'll understand why I'm speaking so confidently. Please give us your love and attention," while Jo Sung-ha added, "As there is still some heat remaining, I think it will be quite comfortable for viewers to watch our work. Please love us a lot." Following that, Jang Dong-yoon stated, "I believe viewers will feel like they're watching a movie in their own living room," and Ko Hyun-jung shared, "In fact, this team of three in the police unit does not only include these actors; many other actors join as criminals, showcasing stellar acting. There will be moments where viewers can experience that kind of excitement, and they may discover great actors along the way. I think the director's smooth blending is one of the strengths of this drama and I hope it receives a lot of attention and love."
Director Byun Young-joo emphasized ahead of the discussion, "Some people are worried about terrifying and gruesome scenes due to the subject matter and story. We have worked diligently to ensure compliance with the standards for vigilance and prepared the drama so that anyone aged 15 and above can watch without concern. Do not be afraid. While some viewers may take a step back fearing this genre, that is not the case. It's a fun drama full of various thoughts and reflections. All the actors have dedicated themselves to perform wonderfully, so I hope viewers enjoy it fully."
'The Mantis: Original Sin' is set to premiere on the 5th at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN reporter Park Jun-hyung.
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